Australian Wellbeing Party

01/07/2016

This just went out to the email list for the members of the Wellbeing Party. :)

It's Ben here, Just a quick update on our progress with the Wellbeing Party.

The reason why you won't be able to vote for us this Saturday is we weren't registered as a party in time. The early double dissolution election caused the election to be several months earlier than originally expected. The party registration process takes a long time so we never had a chance this year.

Since I found out I've been taking a break from working on the Party. I was pretty worn out after pushing and hustling full time for at least 6 months! I've just started a new job which will be my main focus for a while.

But we're not finished!

There will be more from the Wellbeing party. One thing I surely felt this year is that there is true receptivity for our unique political voice in Australia. I felt it from you the members and I felt it from the response to the launch in March. Here are some of the best media quotes:

"The Wellbeing Party is floating into Australian politics on its magical yoga mat to improve the feel-good vibrations of individuals and politics. (The Party) aims to ... revolutionise political discourse through their "compassionate communications" policy, which threatens to make Question Time humane." The Age.

"What if Mr Irvine is right, and this form of discourse could in fact rid us of the exasperating political stalemates that plague our parliament?" News.com.au.

"No wonder the Greens agreed to Senate voting changes with this on the horizon" The Australian.

Read the articles here: http://www.wellbeingparty.org/media/

Now there is time to build that vision into an effective and collaborative organisation. Our new target is the 2018 Victorian state election.

Happy election!!

I'll be handing out how to vote cards from GetUp! at Brunswick East Primary if anyone feels like dropping past to say hello. :)

Lots of love,
Ben Irvine
www.wellbeingparty.org

Ben Irvine March 8, 2016 news.com.au: Wellbeing Party launches ahead of 2016 election undaunted by Senate voting reforms Ben Irvine March 8, 2016 By Sophie Aubreyhttp://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/wellbeing-party-launches-ahead-of-2016-election-undaunted-by-senate-voting-reforms/ne...

27/05/2016

We live in a world where every conversation has the potential to devolve into an argument, where our politicians can't speak to one another. And where even the most trivial of issues have someone fighting both passionately for and against it.

When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations — and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste ...

06/04/2016

An example of wellbeing being promoted in both urban design and education at the same time.

This Vietnam kindergarten by Vo Trong Nghia Architects features a knot-shaped roof with a vegetable garden on top and three protected courtyard playgrounds.

18/03/2016

A good explainer of the new changes to Senate voting.

The Wellbeing Party supports these changes. It may mean that less micro party senators get elected but the system is clearer and voters will know exactly where there vote is going.

09/03/2016

Our second exposure in the national press! This article is great. I felt like Sophie Aubrey understood our message really clearly.

"Compassionate communication is the linchpin of the Wellbeing Party, in the form of both a code of conduct and a policy they foresee dramatically transforming the ‘us and them’ mentality in Canberra. They envision a humanised political sphere where lawmakers argue with a concern for the wellbeing of their opponents. It is an almost unthinkable scenario. But what if Mr Irvine is right, and this form of discourse could in fact rid us of the exasperating political stalemates that plague our parliament?
"

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/wellbeing-party-launches-ahead-of-2016-election-undaunted-by-senate-voting-reforms/news-story/05346c631b596173899036479cc76ebd

ASK a political expert and they’ll probably tell you now is the worst possible time to be launching a new micro party.

07/03/2016

07/03/2016

We got in The Age! A great article by Suzanne Carbone who came to the Launch. It's a hoot and it pokes fun while honoring the intentions of the Wellbeing Party and community.

Some highlights:
"The Wellbeing Party is floating into Australian politics on its magical yoga mat to improve the feel-good vibrations of individuals and politics."

"(The Wellbeing Party) aims to contest the next election in the Senate and revolutionise political discourse through his "compassionate communications" policy, which threatens to make Question Time humane."

Next up: Help with our Membership drive for 550 members in March

We already have over 100. We need 550 to formally register. Details here: www.facebook.com/events/2003396316551455/

Your nearest and dearest aren't the only ones who "hope you're well" in emails and life.

03/03/2016

Work/life balance: An example of how a workplace can value natural cycles

A Bristol-based company is introducing a 'period policy' for its female workers, based on the idea that paying attention to employees' monthly menstrual cycle can be "good for business"

02/03/2016

Lessons from creating a "kindness curriculum" for young students.

Laura Pinger and Lisa Flook share their lessons from creating a "kindness curriculum" for young students.

26/02/2016

The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016, establishing licensing and permit schemes for the cultivation and production of cannabis and cannabis resin for medicinal and scientific purposes, passed both houses of parliament this week. The Australian Wellbeing Party acknowledges this as an important step in the right direction, particularly for long term sufferers of chronic illness. However, much more is still needed in the area of drug policy for lasting change to be achieved at a societal level. Policies that incriminate drug users have the effect of further marginalising the most vulnerable members of our society and perpetuate unsafe drug use practices. In our view such an approach needs to be completely removed (through the decriminalisation of all drug use and the end of prosecution for drug users) and replaced with increased services for prevention and harm reduction. What are your thoughts on this issue? http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/02/medicinal-marijuana-has-been-legalised-in-australia/

The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016, seeking to establish licensing and permit schemes for the cultivation and production of cannabis and cannabis ...

24/02/2016

The Australian Government has announced that it will shortly hold an investigation into the Safe Schools program. This program was developed in response to requests from Australian teachers and principals looking for advice and resources to better support the diversity and well-being of their students and to create safe learning environments. The program is currently underway at close to 500 schools across the country, with many students and teachers benefitting greatly as a result. The Australian Wellbeing Party supports the continuation of this important program which strives to encourage young people to be themselves without fear of persecution or judgment due to their sexual orientation, and fosters empathy for those who are different to them. To read more about the Safe Schools program and how you can support it check out www.safeschoolscoalition.org.au.

Safe Schools Do Better This is our introductory guide to supporting gender diversity, intersex and sexual diversity in schools. It includes... Download

22/02/2016

I just responded to a constructive suggestion that it would be effective for the Wellbeing party to make a catch-cry that 'we're serious' to try to quash the objections of the right wing who will write us off us dumb hippies.

Here's the response:
"Cheers for the feedback. I'll take it on board. Although I don't think we stand much chance of quashing objections from conservatives, especially if we make it a priority.

What's more important to me at the moment is earning the trust of the wellbeing community we are seeking to represent. In particular, people who are prioritising their journey towards true wellbeing and who are often turned off by the judgemental world of regular politics.

I think I'd rather be regarded as sincere rather than serious. And I don't think it works to tell people that you are sincere, you have to just keep striving to be sincere. I also think most of the people we're seeking to represent would relate to being a hippy on some level. I certainly do."

What do you think?
(from Ben Irvine)